Chimay Bleue (Blue) / Grande Réserve

Brewed by Chimay
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Baileux, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

send corrections   |   shelftag   |   edit barcodes   |   add pic

330 mL bottle from LCBO, served in a branded Trappist glass. Pours a murky mahogany with a tall tan head. Great retention and good lace. Aromas of yeast and flowers with some fruit. As it warms, the aroma becomes more alcoholic. Flavour is quite yeasty with floral notes from the hops. A malty sweetness develops through the middle, accompanied by notes of candied fruit, brandy and grapes. The finish is long and malty. On the palate, this beer is moderately astringent, medium-full in body with a smooth texture. Overall, an excellent brew. Complex and subtle, it’s the ideal accompaniment to an evening of philosophical meandering. Considerably less malty than Chimay Rouge, but notably more aromatic and alcoholic. 2010-03-20

UPDATED: MAR 20, 2010 Pours a dark brown colour, hazy, with a small dissipating head. The aroma is of caramel malts, fruits; raisins and prunes, and some yeast. The taste is sweet but not overpowering and has a little spice to it as well. Medium-full body, lively carbonation and somewhat slick on the palate. Overall a very enjoyable beer to drink.

Bottle. Pours a dark chestnut brown with a light red hue and a nice beige head that is long lasting. Aroma of sweet malt, dark ripe fruits, toffee and yeast. Flavours of sweet malt, plums, raisins, spice and alcohol flavours. Very complex aroma and flavours. The alcohol is well hidden and gives a warming mouthfeel. There is a slight bitterness in the finish. This is a fine Trappist.

Deep brownish black with red glow. Medium creamy tanned head. Aroma of fruits, yeast, faint raisin and liquorice. Flavour is sweet liquorice, raisin, fruit some yeast, followed by some bitterness. One off the lesser trappisten beers if you ask me, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t a very good beer.

Classic blue corked bomber. Appearance is solid oak brown with an inch of thin, light brown head. Aroma is toasted malt, burnt sugar and doughy yeast. Taste is very similar to the aroma. It begins with big caramel and toasted malt flavors followed by doughy, spicy yeast and candied figs. There’s also an earthiness to the Ale that adds great complexity to the overall flavor. It finishes extremely smooth with a very subtle brown sugar and rum aftertaste. World Class Belgian Strong Ale not to be missed.

Bottle. A - Deep tawny brown with a good sized off-white head. Sticks around for a while. S - Lots of dark fruit and spice (mostly clove). There are also hints of malt and alcohol. Smells quite Belgian. T - Rum soaked dark fruit (raisin, fig, date, currant), Along with a general spiciness (predominantly clove), Alcohol is also fairly prominent, much more than in other similar beers. There is also a good amount of dark sugar and caramel, but these are not too cloying. Very slight bitterness and the end balances these out a bit. M - Moderate carbonation and probably on the higher side of medium bodied. It probably could be a bit fuller, but that is just kind of nit-picking. D - Could probably drink 2 in a night and be fine, any more would probably be too much (even if the ABV was lower). It definitely hits the spot though, and is a nice beer to sip at night. Notes: I do really like this beer. However, compared to other similar and comparable beers, I don’t think it holds up as well. Not really a knock on it, it is just in great company. That said, the availability of this beer is certainly a plus, and if I saw it for a good price, I would be all over it.

Nice taste of yeast with some sweet flowery flavors. Great palate with light hoppy and roasted malt aftertaste. Very pleasant beer to enjoy in good company.

Bouteille 33 cl du Centre de l’Île à Boudry. Nectar brun acajou, mousse crême et crémeuse, pétillement abondant. Nez fruité de levure et de chocolat, touches d’alcool. Saveurs douces et vives, sans être trop sucrées, notes de poivre, herbes, banane et épices. Goût un peu piquant, longue amertume en finale avec vanille et torréfaction.

750 ml bottle @ Kaisla. Pours reddish brown with tannish head. Toffee, plum and molasses-like notes in the aroma. The flavour also has some sweet molasses as well as caramel and maltiness. A hint of alcohol in the finish.

Another classic up for rating. Chimay Bleu has a deep caramel brown body with a tiny, off-white head, which fades rapidly into the brew shortly after pouring. Nose is boozy, with lots of figs and raisins. Taste is vinous; candy sugar, yeast notes and toffee all emerge within seconds. Aftertaste is boozy, almost like port wine and caramel-like. A nice brew, although not quite up there with its genre "counterparts": the quadrupels. I know it’s not really in the same category, but it feels like it should’ve been, particularly when the rest of the Chimay series (rouge = dubbel, blanche = triple) kinda promises a quad at the end of the series. It also seems to aspire to reach f.ex. Rochefort 10 in complexity, however failing to do so. Nevertheless, good value for your money and a very nice beer in general.